As we look ahead to 2026, anime fans have a lot to be excited about! While popular shows like Jujutsu Kaisen and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End continue to gain fans, many still cherish the films of Studio Ghibli. Founded in 1985, Ghibli has become one of Japan’s most beloved animation studios, known for its beautiful visuals, compelling stories, and emotional depth. The studio is famous for its detailed, hand-drawn animation, featuring stunning scenery, smooth motion, and expressive characters. Director Hayao Miyazaki, a co-founder of the studio, has been particularly influential in shaping Ghibli’s incredible legacy.
To welcome 2026, the studio’s website released a special behind-the-scenes photo featuring animation legend Hayao Miyazaki and Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki. As 2026 is the Year of the Horse in the Chinese Zodiac, Miyazaki also created a beautiful new illustration celebrating the theme. The image aims to capture the qualities associated with the Year of the Horse – passion, charisma, creativity, and strong leadership.
What to Expect From Studio Ghibli in 2026?
Despite announcing his retirement following the release of his 2023 film, The Boy and the Heron, Hayao Miyazaki quickly returned to work. He’s confirmed he’s developing a new feature film, though details remain under wraps. While Studio Ghibli hasn’t announced any entirely new projects, fans in North America can still enjoy the annual Studio Ghibli Fest. Started in 2017, the festival allows audiences to see Ghibli’s beloved animated films in theaters, often with bonus content and in both Japanese with subtitles and English dubs.
Last year, GKIDS and Fathom Entertainment hosted a Studio Ghibli Fest, bringing eight classic Studio Ghibli movies back to the big screen. The festival typically starts in April or May and runs for several months. Details for this year’s dates will be revealed as spring approaches, giving fans another chance to enjoy these beloved films in theaters.
Great news for fans of Studio Ghibli! Following a successful IMAX release of Princess Mononoke, IMAX and GKIDS are partnering to bring more Ghibli classics to the big screen in IMAX format. These versions will be created using brand new 4K restorations and will be carefully overseen by Atsushi Okui, a long-time animator and cinematographer for Ghibli, who has worked on films like Howl’s Moving Castle and The Boy and the Heron. While the specific films haven’t been announced yet, we expect to hear more details very soon – possibly in just a few weeks or months.
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2026-01-04 02:12